Socket for tennis-posts and the like.



6. LANE.

SOCKET FOR TENNIS POSTS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION-FILED APR.27.1916.

1,224,387. Patented May 1, 1917.

ImQ/Mwr q'eorgalzuw,

GEORGE LANE,

OF HAVERFORD,

ILLINOIS.

SOCKET FOR TENNIS-POSTS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed April 27', 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonsr. LANE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Havel-ford, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sockets for Tennis-Posts and the like, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to sockets for securing tennis posts and the like, and more particularly to such sockets as are adapted to be embedded in the ground so as to be substantially flush therewith.

An object of the invention is to provide a socket adapted to support a tennis post or similar post, and to so anchor the socket as to prevent it from working loose under the strain of the net, or other object supported by the post.

A further object is to provide a socket which shall be flush with the top of the ground and permit of the removal, or rotation, of the posts therein, if desired.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is an elevational view of an erected tennis net illustrating the method of supporting the posts by means of my improved sockets.

Fig. II, is a face view of one of the sockets showing more particularly the configuration of the anchor plate.

Fig. III, is a plan view of the sockets.

In carrying out my invention I provide posts 2, to which net 1, is attached by any suitable means. The lower ends of these posts are adapted to fit in sockets 3, embedded in the ground, and the upper ends project sufliciently to hold net 1, at its proper height.

Socket 3, is formed of a tubular portion 4, which extends vertically into the ground and a flat portion 5, which extends at right angles thereto and lies flat on the surface of the ground. Depending from flat portion 5, and attached to the tubular portion 4, is anchor plate 6. This plate as seen in Fig. II, is symmetrical with respect to the median line of the tubular portion 4:, and is Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 191 *7 Serial No. 93,838.

expanded so as to be the same width as flat portion 5, at the top, but is tapered toward the bottom throughout the greater part of its length. The lower end, however, is formed with a tongue 7, having parallel sides and which extends downwardly for a short distance, and finally terminates in a point 8.

Anchor plate (3, is preferably formed integrally with both flat portion 5, and tubular portion 4-, being united to the tubular portion by a web 9, a continuation of which extends downwardly below tubular portion t, to point 8, in the form of a strengthening rib 10. This plate does not, however, extend downwardly at right angles to the surface of the ground, in a continuation of the line of posts 2, as does tubular portion 4, but forms an acute angle with this tubular portion.

In operation the socket pieces 3, are embedded in the ground, so that the flat portions 5, are flush with the surface thereof, and anchor plates 6, are on the outer sides, viz: the opposite sides to those to which the net is attached.

In the representation of my invention embodied in the drawings, I have shown socket piece 4;, of circular cross section. It is obvious, however, that other shapes may be used if desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not limit myself to the precise details of form and construction shown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A socket of the class described including a tubular portion and an expanded anchor plate integrally united therewith and extending downwardly at an acute angle thereto.

2. A socket of the class described including a tubular portion, a flat surface portion extending at right angles thereto and an expanded anchor plate extending downwardly from the flat portion and forming an acute angle with the tubular portion.

3. A socket of the class described includ ing a tubular portion, a flat surface portion extending at right angles thereto and an In testimony whereof, I have hereunto anchor plate extending downwardly from signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylthe flat portion and forming an acute angle Yania, this twenty-fourth day of April, 1916. 10

with the tubular portion being united there- GEORGE LANE. with by a Web portion, said anchor being Vitnesses:

formed of a tapered portion and a tongue JAMES H. BELL,

portion having parallel sides. E. L. FULLERTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, I). C. 

